Webber is Considering Three Team Offers

Australian Mark Webber is considering offers from three Formula One teams for next season, the Minardi driver said on Thursday.

The 25-year-old told a news conference in Sydney that he would not be making a decision for at least six weeks. Jaguar sources told Reuters on Tuesday that Webber was close to signing for their team.

"There are at least three teams which potentially I could drive for next season," said Webber. "At the moment I'm with Minardi, that's for sure.

"We have a nice problem on our hands. There are a few teams that are interested in Mark Webber's services so nothing's resolved.

"Minardi have got me into Formula One. Whether I stay with them next year, I haven't decided. In about six or seven weeks I think we'll have a good idea of what I'm doing next year.

Webber is at home in Australia for a short break and will return to England next week.

Underperforming Jaguar could have a vacancy with Northern Ireland's Eddie Irvine, at 36 the oldest man on the grid, reaching the end of his contract.

Webber has tested for Jaguar and has done a good job for hard-up Minardi in his debut season in Formula One, finishing fifth in his first race in Melbourne after half the field had crashed out.

His personal manager Anne Neal told Reuters that any deal with Jaguar was unlikely to be finalised before the next race in Hungary on August 18.